The best business credit cards of 2017

Find a stellar business credit card — for travel, cash back, average credit, no annual fees and more.

You run a business, and you’re out to win. A great business credit card will help you do just that.

To speed up your search for the right card, we’ve assembled the best business-focused contenders on the market. Whether you need cash back, point accelerators or travel rewards, there’s a card that’ll work for you.

Which type of card are you looking for?

There’s no perfect business credit card — choosing the right one boils down to what you value most. We’ve whittled the field down to six particularly strong cards, and each is a great pick in different respects.

While looking for a card, consider where your business often spends money. Some cards give you lots of points or cash back in a few categories; others offer consistent rewards regardless of what you buy.

Finally, you’ll have a better chance of card approval if you apply with a good to excellent credit score of 680 or higher. (The exception is the Spark Classic for Business, which accepts cardholders with average credit scores.)

This card is an excellent choice if your spending is evenly spread across multiple categories.

No annual fee

0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months

Ongoing APR of13.74%, 17.74% or 21.74% based on credit

$200 cash sign-up bonus after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months

Unlimited 1.5% cash back on everything

American Express SimplyCash Plus Business Credit Card

Why it’s great…

No annual fee, 0% intro APR, great cash back

Which perk gives the SimplyCash Plus its competitive advantage? It’s not the $0 annual fee — other cards have that too. Neither is it the sign-up bonus (there isn’t one). And the card’s 5% cash back for office supplies and wireless phone service is matched by the Chase Ink Business Cash.

Rather, the card’s claim to fame is its mid-tier cash back option. You can pick one of eight categories in which you’ll receive a generous 3% cash back. If there’s one area where you spend big bucks — such as airfare, gas or advertising — you’ll probably score with the SimplyCash Plus.

No annual fee

0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months

Ongoing APR of 12.99%, 17.99% or 19.99% based on credit

5% cash back on office supplies and wireless phone service (up to $50,000 each calendar year; must be from US providers)

The card’s secret weapon is the same feature that takes the Chase Sapphire Preferred to another level: Chase Ultimate Rewards. This flexible program lets you redeem points for cash back, gift cards and event tickets. And points redeemed for travel are worth 25% more — this means 80,000 points are worth $1,000 instead of $800. That’s a lot more bang for your buck when you book hotels, airfare and rental cars.

$95 annual fee

APR of 16.74% to 21.74%

80,000-point sign-up bonus after spending $5,000 within the first 3 months

3x points on the first $150,000 spent in travel, shipping, Internet, cable, phone, and social media and search engine advertising

American Express Business Platinum Card

Why it’s great…

Top-tier travel rewards, access to the Centurion Lounges

The Business Platinum Card may not offer flexible rewards like its competitors do, but it’s a killer deal for the road warrior.

After you pay the $450 annual fee, you’ll have a 75,000-point sign-up bonus to look forward to. Then get 5x Membership Rewards points each time you book flights, hotels, rental cars and cruises through American Express Travel. The Business Platinum’s point multiples may be mediocre in standard business categories, but they’re prime if you’re always on the go.

There are a variety of reasons a card may be ideal for you. Of course, the most important are those that work for your needs and spending habits.

Often there is a primary factor that differentiates cards. For example, you may be looking for a balance transfer card. In that case, the primary consideration might be how long the 0% APR transfer period is.

When multiple cards are strong in that primary factor, compare the secondary features. Does a card offer a $0 annual fee? A 0% intro APR for purchases? Excellent cash-back options? Chances are you’ll find a well-rounded card that’s attractive for you in every respect.

An intro APR period means you’ll pay a special interest rate for a certain period of time. For example, “0% APR on purchases for 15 months” means that you’re not charged interest on any spending in the 15 months after you open your card.

Keep track of when your intro APR expires. If you haven’t paid off your purchases by the end of your intro APR, you’ll immediately accrue interest on your balance.

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2 Responses

wendySeptember 13, 2017

can you suggest the best card to me, my credit ratio is 121 and my credit is 532, I need a small business loan , I was trying to get a small personal loan because i was going to use the money on a few repairs on the house but not thinking , this is a home based business so it should be included in the business loan correct? oh well either way I nee the start up money but severely credit challenged. PLEASE HELP!!!!!

Thanks for reaching out.
Since we do not represent any company we feature on our pages, we can offer you general advice. If I may suggest, you may assess the benefits and compare them side by side and see what would best suit your needs right here for the personal loans available.
To compare credit cards, you may want to check this link.

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